Forget the Apple Watch Ultra 3, you probably don't need it

Before I start, yes, I know that I am personally responsible for listing the Apple Watch Ultra 3 as our best smartwatch overall. And yes, I know that the Apple Watch Ultra is currently at a lowest-ever price in the Amazon Prime Day deals (it's now down to $649 (was $799) in the US).

But hear me out: it might not be the right Apple Watch deal for you.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

While there are certainly some people who get a real kick out of its adventuring features, if you asked most current Apple Watch Ultra 3 owners how often they go on long trail runs or orienteering hikes, necessitating satellite communications and advanced maps features, or how often they go scuba diving, I'd say the answer wouldn't be very many.

Likewise, many users don't use the watch's LTE functionality, which lets you add it to a phone's data plan. I'm sure lots of people also wish it came in a smaller size.

The bottom line is that, when looking for the best value Apple Watch deal for you, I'm also considering all the features you might not use, which end up costing you money at the point of purchase. If you're a keen exerciser looking for a good Apple Watch, it's likely the Series 11 is what you're after, especially since it's at its lowest-ever price right now.

The Series 11 starts at $279 (was $399) in the US for the 42mm GPS-only model, and $309 (was $429) for the 46mm GPS-only model. Check out both deals along with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 below.

Because you have a choice of size and whether to add the Cellular connectivity or not, as well as not having adventuring features most users won't get a lot of mileage out of, the Apple Watch Series 11 does come across as a better value Apple Watch pick for most people. However, some power users and hardcore exercisers will still get a real thrill out of the comprehensive featureset of the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

More Prime Day deals in the US

Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18

Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99

Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29

Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools

Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99

Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99

Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung

Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199

Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186

Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99

Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing

Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial

Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99

Amazon Haul: up to 30% off

Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch

Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal

Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B

Essentials: household goods from £5

Fans: from £20

Fashion: up to 50% off

Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5

Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony

Laptops: from £149

Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99

Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies

TVs: from £129.99

Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock

Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

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Matt is TechRadar's expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech.

A former staffer at Men's Health, he holds a Master's Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.

Matt's a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.